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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Mexican Shrimp

    Published: Jan 17, 2023 · Modified: Jun 5, 2025 by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    pinterest image.

    This Air Fryer Mexican Shrimp without breading is juicy, succulent, perfectly seasoned with simple pantry spices and ready in under 10 minutes. It is perfect to be made into tacos, bowls, salads, quesadillas, and more!

    Jump to Recipe

    If you are looking for more easy air fryer shrimp recipes, then try my popular air fryer breaded shrimp next!

    cooked Mexican shrimp in an air fryer basket.

    I was looking for an air fryer shrimp recipe that strikes the perfect balance—naturally sweet, well spiced, and irresistibly tender and juicy. This recipe delivers all that and more!

    It’s quick, easy, healthy, and bursting with flavor. Whether you tuck it into tacos, roll it into burritos, toss it over salads, load it into bowls, or stuff it into quesadillas, it makes an effortless and delicious lunch or dinner.

    Jump to:
    • 👩‍🍳 Why our recipe?
    • How to make Mexican shrimp in air fryer?
    • Recipe tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More shrimp dishes
    • Air Fryer Mexican Shrimp

    👩‍🍳 Why our recipe?

    • Quick & Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes
    • No Breading Required: Light, simple, and fuss-free
    • Versatile: Perfect for tacos, salads, bowls, wraps, and more
    • No Marination Needed: Straight from fridge to air fryer
    • Juicy & Succulent: Perfectly cooked every time

    How to make Mexican shrimp in air fryer?

    You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.

    Step 1 - Pat shrimp dry using paper towels.
    Step 2 - Add all spices and oil.

    Step 3 - Toss to combine.
    Step 4 - Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes.

    cooked shrimp in an air fryer basket.

    Serving suggestions

    • Appetizer: Serve with a side of cilantro sauce, avocado crema, creamy salsa dip, or classic ranch for easy, flavorful dipping.
    • Sandwiches: Swap in this shrimp for the skillet version in our spicy shrimp sandwich—perfectly juicy and bold.
    • Salads & Wraps: Toss into your favorite green salads or spoon into crisp lettuce wraps instead of the chickpeas in the chickpea lettuce wrap.
    • Tacos: Load them into warm tortillas with your go-to taco fixings— Check out the air fryer shrimp tacos recipe.
    • Burrito Bowls: Build a hearty bowl with cilantro lime rice, avocado, black beans, corn, fresh cilantro, and a scoop of pico de gallo or salsa.
    assembled shrimp tacos in a white tray.

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    Recipe tips

    • Don’t overcrowd the basket: I used a 6-quart Instant Vortex air fryer and cooked 1 pound of shrimp per batch. If you're cooking more, work in batches to ensure even cooking.
    • Cook in a single layer: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer to avoid steaming—they'll cook faster and get that perfect texture.
    • Remove Promptly: Keep an eye on the timer—overcooked shrimp turn rubbery fast.
    • Pat dry first: Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the shrimp before seasoning. This helps the oil and spices stick and ensures better browning.
    • Storing leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer for about 2 minutes until warmed through.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can you use frozen shrimp?

    I don’t recommend using frozen shrimp straight from the freezer, as the oil and seasonings won’t stick—they’ll just slide right off. For best results, thaw the shrimp first, then pat them dry thoroughly before air frying. To thaw quickly, place the prawns in a bowl of cold water under running water for 10 to 15 minutes.

    How to thaw frozen shrimp in air fryer?

    While you can thaw shrimp in the air fryer, it’s not the most ideal method, as it can lead to uneven cooking. However, if you’re short on time and need a quick solution, here’s how to do it:
    Preheat your air fryer to 200°F —a low enough temperature to thaw without cooking. Place the frozen shrimp in a single layer and air fry for 5–6 minutes, shaking the basket and spreading them out halfway through.
    Once the ice has melted and the shrimp are fully thawed (but not cooked), pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels before proceeding with your recipe.

    cooked Mexican shrimp in air fryer basket.

    More shrimp dishes

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      20 Minute Firecracker Shrimp
    • white tray with assembled shrimp tacos.
      Buffalo Shrimp Tacos
    • lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta in cast iron pan.
      Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
    • skillet with shrimp in chili lime sauce.
      Spicy Chili Lime Shrimp (20 Minute Recipe)
    cooked Mexican shrimp in an air fryer basket.

    Air Fryer Mexican Shrimp

    This Air Fryer Mexican Shrimp without breading is juicy, succulent, perfectly seasoned with simple pantry spices and ready in under 10 minutes. It is perfect to be made into tacos, bowls, salads, quesadillas and more!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 1 minute minute
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 minute minute
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 116kcal
    Author: Maria Doss

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound large shrimp with or without tails
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
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    Instructions

    • Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss with all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine well.
    • Preheat air fryer to 400°F. When hot, place shrimp in a single layer and cook for 7 to 8 minutes or cooked through and tender.
      How long to cook? Large sized shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), cooks in 7 to 8 minutes whereas medium ones (31 to 40 per pound) will cook in 6 to 7 minutes.
    • Serve with lime wedges or use it to make tacos, rice bowls, quesadillas or Mexican salads.

    Notes

    Don't overcrowd - We used 6 quart Instant Vortex air fryer and was able to cook one pound per batch. Cook in batches if using a larger quantity.
    Cook in a single layer - This ensures that they don't steam and cooks fast.
    Pat dry - Make sure to pat dry well with paper towels so the oil and spices will stick to them.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 941mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 408IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @KitchenAtHoskins or tag #kitchenathoskins!

    Some of the links above are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for supporting kitchenathoskins.com.

    All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.

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